El Reno, Oklahoma, on Friday is hosting an intriguing event — a cruise on the original alignment of Route 66 in the city.
The cruise begins northbound on Shepard Avenue at Business 40 and U.S. 81, turns west onto Elm Street, turns north onto Hoff Avenue, turns west onto Wade Street, turns briefly north onto Choctaw Avenue, then finishes on a westbound stretch of Sunset Drive.
This zigzag route served as Route 66 from 1926 to 1932, which was fairly typical of that era. The highway initially took an established-path route before officials began straightening out those curves and turns.
Most drivers take the 1947 to 1985 alignment, which takes in the diagonal stretch of Rock Island Avenue.
Here’s an excerpt from a flyer promoting the event, courtesy of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association:
The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m., with Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and his family as the grand marshals. Pinnell, who leads the state’s tourism department, has been an outspoken advocate of Route 66 since taking office.
I like the idea of highlighting more obscure alignments of Route 66. I suspect you’ll see more of these events in the coming years in other towns leading up to Route 66’s 100th anniversary in 2026.
(Excerpt from flyer publicizing El Reno’s 1926-1932 Route 66 cruise)
Very cool. Wish I was close enough to participate.